Newcastle bridges - NOT amateur radio

 

The River Tyne has many famous bridges.

10m QRP FT8 yesterday

 After coming back from Newcastle yesterday I went on 10m FT8 with 6W. 241 stations spotted me. See map.

Newcastle kittiwakes - NOT amateur radio

Apparently Newcastle has the most inland colony of breeding kittiwakes in the world. They are like dainty small seagulls.

See Tyne Kittiwakes - Natural History Society of Northumbria

Sunspots - Sunday April 27th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 169. A=7 and K=1.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Since arriving back home on late Saturday afternoon, I have been on 10m FT8 with my IC-705 at 6W. So far, 181 stations have spotted me. See map.

UPDATE 2116z:  238 stations have spotted me. QRT soon.

Swallows and house martins - NOT amateur radio

Whilst away in Newscastle and Durham I saw 1 swallow and 5 house martins. One swallow was seen down here before we went away.  

It was great to see 5 house martins on the wing simultaneously over the River Wear in Durham. Swifts usually appear later.  I shall keep my ears and eyes open as one often hears swifts screaming first.

These are all migrant birds back from Africa.

See House Martin Bird Facts | Delichon Urbica

Italy on 8m in 2025

 Italy has again been permitted to use 8m amateur radio in 2025 . Why oh why can’t OFCOM do the same? Idiots!!

Going home - NOT amateur radio

We’re on our way home after a few days in Newcastle/Durham. It was a good trip. Everyone in Newcastle was SO friendly. I can imagine it is a great place to be at university.

UPDATE 1822z:  Been home for a few hours.

Sunspots - Saturday April 26th

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 169. A=5 and K=2.

Durham Cathedral outside - NOT amateur radio

 This impressive Norman cathedral was built almost 1000 years ago before they had heavy lifting gear and CAD.